Strap-bending tool

ABSTRACT

A tool for bending metal straps such as those used to support service pipes and conduits intermediate a floor structure and ceiling suspended therebelow of the type separating successive floors in modern multiple-story commercial buildings. The strapbending tool includes a pair of handles supported for relative pivotal movement between open and closed positions. One such handle is equipped with a strap holder adapted to have a strap inserted thereinto so as to extend downwardly along the holderequipped handle. Pivotally supported by such one handle below the holder thereon is a strap-bending element which underlies the free end portion of any strap inserted into the holder. A force applicator carried by the other handle is engageable with the strap-bending element to displace the same angularly when the handles are closed and thereby bend the free end portion of such strap about the anvil defined the lower edge of the strap holder.

United States Patent William A. Thomas 1585 152nd Ave., San Leandro,Calif.

[72] lnventor [21] Appl. No. 839,171

[22] Filed July 7, 1969 {45] Patented Sept. 14, 1971 [54] STRAP-BENDINGTOOL 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs 3,118,488 l/l964 Barnhill ABSTRACT: A toolfor bending metal straps such as those used to support service pipes andconduits intermediate a floor structure and ceiling suspended therebelowof the type separating successive floors in modern multiple-storycommercial buildings. The strap-bending tool includes a pair of handlessupported for relative pivotal movement between open and closedpositions. One such handle is equipped with a strap holder adapted tohave a strap inserted thereinto so as to extend downwardly along theholder-equipped handle. Pivotally supported by such one handle below theholder thereon is a strap-bending element which underlies the free endportion of any strap inserted into the holder. A force applicatorcarried by the other handle is engageable with the strap-bending elementto displace the same angularly when the handles are closed and therebybend the free end portion of such strap about the anvil defined thelower edge of the strap holder.

STRAP-BENDING TOOL DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a tool forbending metal straps and the like and, more particularly, to astrap-bending tool especially suited for use in bending the elongatedstraps used as handers to support service pipes and conduits in thespace provided between each floor structure and the ceiling'suspended'therebelow which separate the successive floor levels of amultiple-story commercial building.

In the construction of modern multiple-story office buildings andsimilar commercial structures it is common to provide for each floorlevel or story a ceiling that underlies the divider or floor structurethereabove and is suspended at a distance .therebelow sufficient toprovide a relatively large intermediate space that accommodates servicepipes and conduitsof various-types such as'telephone lines and electricconduits, water pipes, heating and ventilating conduits, etc. Such pipesand conduits are necessarily supported from the floor structure thatthey underlie, and in this same reference, the ceiling which concealssuch pipes and conduits also must be supported by the overlying floorstructure. To provide such support, it is quite common for each floorstructure to be equipped with a plurality of hangers or straps thatextend downwardly therefrom and are secured thereto in any-convenientmanner, as for example, by being attached to the Bending the strapsin-this manner is not satisfactory because it is physically difficult(the straps being quite sturdy), and when the strap is to be bent atconsiderable distance from the free end thereof much of the mechanicaladvantage usually gained from the relatively long handles of the pliersis lost, thereby making the bending operation evenmore difficult andoften resulting in a bend or turn in the strap that is irregular. Inview of the foregoing an object, among others, of the present inventionis to provide an-improved tool for bending metal straps I and the like.

Another'object of the invention is that of providing a strapbending toolof the character described that enables a strap to be quickly and easilygripped or held by the tool preparatory to the bending operation, andthat also enables a bent strap to be quickly andeasily separated fromthe tool subsequent to the bending operation.

Anothersobject of the invention is in the provision of an improvedstrap-bending, tool which applies a uniformly distributed bending. forceto.-a strap across the entire width thereof; and-which tool is able toaccommodate straps of various-widths without lossof such'uniformity inforce distribution.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool of the characterdescribed. having a pair of elongated handles pivotally" moveable'withrespect to each other and one of I which is-equippedwith both a strapholder and a strap-bendtion-defined by'an anvil edge provided by thestrap holder.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention, especially asconcerns particular features and characteristics thereof,- willbecomeapparent as the specification develops.

An-embodirnent of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawingin which:

FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view of a typical floor structure andsuspended ceiling showing elongated metal straps arranged therewith ofthe type with which the bending tool is especially useful; I I

FIG. 2 is a front view in elevation of the bending tool;

FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of the tool in open position andshowing an associated strap in phantom lines;

FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation similar to that of FIG. 3.butillustrating the tool in the closed position thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the tool taken along the line 5- 5 of FIG.4; and

FIG. 6 is a broken front view in elevation of the tool in the closedposition thereof, the view being taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4. j

As indicated hereinbefore, strap-bending tools embodying the presentinvention are useful in bending elongated metal straps such as thoseprovided in association with floor-ceiling structures of multiple storyoffice buildings for supporting various service components includingpipes, heating and cooling conduits, electric and telephone conductors,and often a suspended ceiling spaced below the overlying floor structureso as to conceal the service components interposed therebetween.Illustrative straps of this type are shown in FIG. 1 in association witha typical floor structure and suspended ceiling, and which floorstructure in the case of commercial buildings maybe of prestressedconcrete composition and include a horizontal floor or flange component10 formed integrally with a plurality of spaced-apart joists or beams orweb components 11 depending therefrom.

A'plurality of metal straps l2, usually formed of steel, are secured tothe ceiling structure in any suitable manner as by being pinned to thedepending joists ll asshown.

The straps 12 project downwardly for a considerable distance below thejoists l1 and have free end portions 14 that are bent laterally at anappropriate location so as to support a component thereon as, forexample, the ceiling component 15 shown by broken lines. The location atwhich the end portion 14 is bent or turned laterally depends upon theparticular component to be supported by the strap. In the case ofservice conduits to be supported thereby, the bend will occur at anelevation much closer to the floor structure or joists 11 thereof sothat such conduits are interposed between the floor structure and theceiling l5 suspended therebelow.

The strap-bending tool illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 6 is denoted inits entirety with the numeral 16 and, as shown in most clearly in FIG.3, it comprises a pair of elongated, longitudinally extending handles 17and 18 of U-shaped configuration in cross section (the handle 18 beingarcuate to make it easier to grip) and supported for pivotal movementrelative to each other between the open position shown in FIG. 3 and theclosed position illustrated in FIG. 4. As respects such pivotal movementof the handles 17 and 18, the handle 17 is equipped adjacent the upperend thereof with an essentially L-shaped bracket 19 that may be weldedor otherwise rigidly secured thereto. The handle 18 is located along theinner surface of the base leg of the bracket 19 and is pivotally carriedthereby through a pivot pin 20 that extends through the handle 18 andbracket 19 as is most evident in FIGS. 2 and 5. Clearly, then, thehandle 18 is pivotal about the axis of the pin 20 between the open andclosed positions respectively shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The tool 16 also includes a strap holder or guide 21 having a generallyL-shaped form, as seen in FIG. 5. In this respect, the holder 21 has aleg 22 fixedly related to the handle 17 and the aforementioned pin 20extends through the leg 22, as shown best in FIG. 5. The holder 21 hasan additional leg 24 oriented in a generally normal disposition relativeto the leg 22 and it extends along the stem or branch 25 of the L-shapedbracket 19 in space parallel relation therewith so as to define astrapreceiving opening 26 therebetween. The space 26 is enclosed onthree sides by the legs 22 and 24 of the strap holder 21 and base 25 ofthe bracket 19, and it is sufficiently large to enable a strap 22 to beinserted thereinto as shown in both FIGS. 3 and 4.

Adjustable displacements of the tool 16 in longitudinal directionsrelative to a strap 12 seated within the opening 26 can be effective soas to accurately locate the tool with respect to the line along whichthe free end portion 14 of the strap is to be bent. In this connection,it may be observed that the strap holder 21 is provided with a loweredge 27 defining an anvil along which an end portion of any such strap12 can be bent, as shown in FIG. 4.

The tool 16 further includes a strap-bending element or platform 28which straddles the handle 18 and is of U-shaped construction havingspaced legs 29 and 30 respectively disposed on opposite sides of thehandle 18 and pivotally carried thereby through a pin 31 extendingthrough the handle 18 and element 28, as is most evident in FIGS. 2 and6. The strapbending element 28 is freely pivotal or swingable withrespect to the handle 17 between the open position shown in FIG. 3 inwhich the element 28 extends downwardly therealong and the closedposition shown in FIG. 4 in which the element 28 has been displacedthrough a distance of approximately 90 degrees in a clockwise directionto turn or bend the end portion 14 of the strap 12 laterally.

The handle 18 is equipped therealong with a projection or forceapplicator 32 that may be welded or otherwise fixedly secured thereto.The force applicator 32 disposed adjacent the strap-bending element 28and is in substantial alignment therewith when the tool is in its openposition, as shown in FIG. 3. The handle 17, in substantial alignmentwith the applicator 32, is provided with a slot or opening 34 throughwhich the applicator 32 projects as the handle 18 is displaced towardthe closed position thereof. Such displacement of the handle causes theforce applicator 32 to engage the strapbending element 28 and displaceit from the open position thereof shown in FIG. 3 into the closedposition illustrated in FIGS. 4, and 6. It will be noted that the forceapplicator 32 tapers somewhat to a reduced dimension adjacent its freeand has an angular inclination relative to the plane of the handle 18 soas to swing forwardly and upwardly as the handle 18 is closed to enablethe applicator to remain in force-applying engagement with the bendingelement 28 and thereby cause the same to turn or bend the end portion 14of the strap 12 into the lateral disposition shown in FIG. 4.

In use of the strap-bending tool 16, a strap to be bent (a strap 12depending from a joist 11, for example, although any other strap orgenerally planar component of similar proper ties can be bent) isinserted into the opening 26 so that the anvil or lower edge 27 of thestrap holder 21 is positioned along the strap at the location at whichit is to be bent. Insertion of the strap is most easily accomplished bytransverse displacement thereof relative to the tool 16 through the openside of the strap holder 21, and should any slight adjustment betweenthe strap and tool be required they can be moved longitudinally relativeto each other to effect the desired positioning. The strap will thenhave the general disposition shown in FIG. 3 in which the lower endportion thereof extends downwardly along the handle 17 in overlyingrelation with the strap-bending element 28.

The handles 17 and 18 are then displaced angularly relative to eachother which most usually defines the condition in which the handle 18 ispivoted in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, into the closedposition shown in FIG. 4 while the handle 17 is maintained in generallongitudinal alignment with the strap 12. However, it should berecognized that the handle 17 might be displaced angularly in either aclockwise or counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 so as tobend the strap 12 along the upper edge of the leg 24 of the strap holder21. Such angular displacement of the handle 18 relative to the handle 17causes the force applicator 32 to move through the opening 34 and intoengagement with the strap-bending element 28 and displace the same in aclockwise direction from the open position illustrated in FIG. 3 intothe closed position shown in FIG. 4. It is evident that such movement ofthe strap-bending element 28 causes the lower end portion 14 of thestrap 12 to be bent or turned laterally so as to have a substantiallynormal orientation relative to the major length or plane of the strap12, as seen in FIG. I and 4.

The substantial width of the strap-bending element 28 assures asubstantially uniform application of force across the entire width ofstrap 12 during bending thereof and it also enables the tool 16 toaccommodate straps of lesser width than that of the holder 21 andbending element 28 .while still providing such uniform forcedistribution. Irrespective ofvits width, any bent strap can be removedfrom the strap holder 21 by transverse displacement thereof relative tothe tool so as to withdraw the strap through the open side of the holder21. It will be appreciated that such removal of astrap of the tool isaccomplished after the handles 17 and 18 have been displaced slightly soas to relieve the force otherwise applied to the strap-bending element28 by the force applicator 32.

While in the foregoing specification an embodiment of the invention hasbeen described in considerable detail for purposes of making a completedisclosure thereof, it will be ap parent to those skilled in the art ofnumerous changes may be made in such details without departing from thespirit and principles of the invention.

What is claimed is: p

1. A tool for bending metal straps and the like, comprising a pair oflongitudinally extending handles supported for pivotal movement relativeto each other between open and closed positions, a strap holder carriedby one of said handles for confining a portion of any such strap againstlateral displacements with respect thereto and providing an anvil alongwhich an end portion of such strap can be bent, a strap-bending elementsupported by said one handle for movement between open and closedpositions and being engageable with such strap in moving into its closedposition to bend the same laterally about said anvil, and a forceapplicator carried by the other of said handles and being engageablewith said strapbending element upon movement of said handles into theirclosed position to displace said strap-bending element into its closedposition and thereby bend any such strap confined by said strap holder.

2. The tool of claim 1 in which said strap holder movably confines anysuch strap and accommodates adjustable displacements of said toolrelative thereto in longitudinal directions for selectively locatingsuch strap with respect to the aforesaid anvil provided by said strapholder and along which the strap is to be bent.

3. The tool of claim 2 in which said strap holder is open along onetransverse edge thereof so as to accommodate entrance and removal of astrap.

4. The tool of claim 1 in which said strap-bending element spans theaforesaid one handle transversely and has approximately the sametransverse width as said strap holder and pivotally supported by saidone handle for free-angular displacements with respect thereto.

5. The tool of claim 4 in which said one handle is provided with anopening therein adjacent said strap-bending element for passing saidforce applicator therethrough to enable the same to engage saidstrap-bending element and displace the same into the closed positionthereof.

6. The tool of claim 1 in which said strap holder movably confines andsuch strap and accommodates adjustable displacements of said toolrelative thereto in longitudinal directions for selectively locatingsuch strap with respect to the aforesaid anvil provided by said strapholder and along which the strap is to be bent, and in which saidstrap-bending element spans the aforesaid one handle transversely andhas approximately the same transverse width as said strap holder andpivotally supported by said one handle for free angular displacementswith respect thereto.

7. The tool of claim 6 in which said one handle is provided with anopening therein adjacent said strap-bending element for passing saidforce applicator therethrough to enable the same to engage saidstrap-bending element and displace the same into the closed positionthereof.

8. The tool of claim 7 in which said strap holder is open along onetransverse edge thereof so as to accommodate entrance and removal of astrap.

component secured to said bracket and having a leg spaced from the basethereof to define a space therebetween within which any such strap isconfined by said strap holder.

1. A tool for bending metal straps and the like, comprising a pair oflongitudinally extending handles supported for pivotal movement relativeto each other between open and closed positions, a strap holder carriedby one of said handles for confining a portion of any such strap againstlateral displacements with respect thereto and providing an anvil alongwhich an end portion of such strap can be bent, a strap-bending elementsupported by said one handle for movement between open and closedpositions and being engageable with such strap in moving into its closedposition to bend the same laterally about said anvil, and a forceapplicator carried by the other of said handles and being engageablewIth said strap-bending element upon movement of said handles into theirclosed position to displace said strap-bending element into its closedposition and thereby bend any such strap confined by said strap holder.2. The tool of claim 1 in which said strap holder movably confines anysuch strap and accommodates adjustable displacements of said toolrelative thereto in longitudinal directions for selectively locatingsuch strap with respect to the aforesaid anvil provided by said strapholder and along which the strap is to be bent.
 3. The tool of claim 2in which said strap holder is open along one transverse edge thereof soas to accommodate entrance and removal of a strap.
 4. The tool of claim1 in which said strap-bending element spans the aforesaid one handletransversely and has approximately the same transverse width as saidstrap holder and pivotally supported by said one handle for free-angulardisplacements with respect thereto.
 5. The tool of claim 4 in which saidone handle is provided with an opening therein adjacent saidstrap-bending element for passing said force applicator therethrough toenable the same to engage said strap-bending element and displace thesame into the closed position thereof.
 6. The tool of claim 1 in whichsaid strap holder movably confines and such strap and accommodatesadjustable displacements of said tool relative thereto in longitudinaldirections for selectively locating such strap with respect to theaforesaid anvil provided by said strap holder and along which the strapis to be bent, and in which said strap-bending element spans theaforesaid one handle transversely and has approximately the sametransverse width as said strap holder and pivotally supported by saidone handle for free angular displacements with respect thereto.
 7. Thetool of claim 6 in which said one handle is provided with an openingtherein adjacent said strap-bending element for passing said forceapplicator therethrough to enable the same to engage said strap-bendingelement and displace the same into the closed position thereof.
 8. Thetool of claim 7 in which said strap holder is open along one transverseedge thereof so as to accommodate entrance and removal of a strap. 9.The tool of claim 8 in which the aforesaid one handle is equippedadjacent an end thereof with a generally L-shaped bracket and the otherof said handles is pivotally secured to said bracket, and in which saidstrap holder is an L-shaped component secured to said bracket and havinga leg spaced from the base thereof to define a space therebetween withinwhich any such strap is confined by said strap holder.